1 TRANSLATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND ... - APFA News

tourism development in the eastern Dzongkhags and have positive impact on the
incomes of the people.
In response, the Minister for Trade and Industry pointed out that the tourism
sector plays a very important role in the promotion of the private sector,
generation of employment opportunities, increasing public sector revenue and in
earning foreign currency. At present, the tourism industry offers income and
employment opportunity to over 2000 Bhutanese nationals and a total number
of 7,559 tourists visited Bhutan in 2000 generating a total revenue of USD 10.5
million.
Although the number of tourists has been increasing every year, the tourism
industry in Bhutan is still at a developing stage in comparison to other countries.
For instance Maldives, which is smaller than Bhutan in terms of territorial size
and population, had 467,000 tourists in the past one year and were able to
generate a commensurate amount of income. This indicates how much further
our tourism industry needs to be developed. In view of its importance and the
potential for revenue generation, the Government has accorded high priority to
the development of the tourism industry. A Tourism Development Committee
and a Coordination Committee have been established along with the initiation of
a Tourism Development Fund.
The Minister also reported that tourist destinations in Bhutan are being
increased with the identification of more locations to be opened to tourists.
Work is already underway to extend tourist activities and programs such as
hiking, trekking, boating and kayaking etc. Furthermore, in order to further
distribute the benefits from tourism, the Royal Government has already
accorded approval for the introduction of helicopter services by the private
sector. Many tourists would be able to visit the eastern and central regions once
such air transport services have been established.
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